Tee Time: Daniel Furr Memorial now in its fifth year

Annual tournament set for Oct. 13 at Connestee Falls

Daniel Furr, who died in 2008 at the age of 19 to alcohol poisining, is shown here with his mother, Sandra.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

By JOHN DOMANSKYTimes-News Correspondent

Published: Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, October 4, 2013 at 11:55 p.m.

Over the course of the golf season, there are dozens of tournaments that benefit and support many local charity organizations. On Oct. 13, Connestee Falls Golf Club in Brevard will host the Fifth Annual Daniel Furr Memorial Golf Tournament.

“We lost our son in December 2008, at the age of 19, due to a tragic alcohol-related accident. Daniel was a loving son who was very devoted to his family. He was a week from beginning his sophomore year at Western Carolina. One wrong decision erased years of Daniel’s many right decisions.

“My wife and I were at a fork-in-the-road and saw a very clear path to let there be good come from this horrendous tragedy. Our belief in the Lord and our Heavenly Father, found Him to be faithful,” said Daniel’s father Joe Furr.

A friend of the Furr family suggested that due to Daniel’s love of the game of golf, they should organize and put on a benefit golf tournament.

That suggestion led to the creation of Daniel Furr Memorial Golf Tournament, benefiting the J. Daniel Furr Memorial Scholarship established at Blue Ridge Community College.

In the first four years of the tournament, 48 students from Transylvania County have benefited from scholarships totaling $29,200.

“Each recipient must be willing to sign a Pledge of Honor, agreeing to abstain from using alcohol and drugs during the scholarship period. We want to give local students an opportunity to go to college. We help educate about underage alcohol consumption. Five college students die each day as a result of alcohol consumption. We point to the fragility of life of young people and the love of Jesus Christ. Recently, my wife and I spoke with a group of Brevard College students and explained to them that the equivalent of three times their school’s enrollment dies each year due to alcohol. We want parents and young people to be better informed about the dangers of underage alcohol use,” said Furr.

“We have great prizes this year from premium area golf courses, local businesses, a Lowe’s gift card and dinners at nice local restaurants. We are hoping and praying for 100 golfers this year. Last year was our biggest tournament ever. We have a ways to go to hit last year’s number, but the phone is usually burning up the last week or so before the tournament. Our goal is for our players to have a lot of fun, have a chance to win a great prize and leave with their bellies full,” said Furr.

The Daniel Furr Memorial Golf Tournament is a great opportunity to play one of the better courses in the area, have a great time and make a positive difference in the youth of Transylvania County. Visit danielfurrmemorialgolf.com for more information and register online to play “the game that Daniel loved.”

<p>Over the course of the golf season, there are dozens of tournaments that benefit and support many local charity organizations. On Oct. 13, Connestee Falls Golf Club in Brevard will host the Fifth Annual Daniel Furr Memorial Golf Tournament.</p><p>“We lost our son in December 2008, at the age of 19, due to a tragic alcohol-related accident. Daniel was a loving son who was very devoted to his family. He was a week from beginning his sophomore year at Western Carolina. One wrong decision erased years of Daniel's many right decisions. </p><p>“My wife and I were at a fork-in-the-road and saw a very clear path to let there be good come from this horrendous tragedy. Our belief in the Lord and our Heavenly Father, found Him to be faithful,” said Daniel's father Joe Furr.</p><p>A friend of the Furr family suggested that due to Daniel's love of the game of golf, they should organize and put on a benefit golf tournament.</p><p>That suggestion led to the creation of Daniel Furr Memorial Golf Tournament, benefiting the J. Daniel Furr Memorial Scholarship established at Blue Ridge Community College.</p><p>In the first four years of the tournament, 48 students from Transylvania County have benefited from scholarships totaling $29,200.</p><p>“Each recipient must be willing to sign a Pledge of Honor, agreeing to abstain from using alcohol and drugs during the scholarship period. We want to give local students an opportunity to go to college. We help educate about underage alcohol consumption. Five college students die each day as a result of alcohol consumption. We point to the fragility of life of young people and the love of Jesus Christ. Recently, my wife and I spoke with a group of Brevard College students and explained to them that the equivalent of three times their school's enrollment dies each year due to alcohol. We want parents and young people to be better informed about the dangers of underage alcohol use,” said Furr.</p><p>The $60 adult ($40 student) entry fee for the “captain's choice format” tournament includes a BBQ dinner awards banquet, range balls, cart fees, goody bag, snacks and one raffle ticket.</p><p>“We have great prizes this year from premium area golf courses, local businesses, a Lowe's gift card and dinners at nice local restaurants. We are hoping and praying for 100 golfers this year. Last year was our biggest tournament ever. We have a ways to go to hit last year's number, but the phone is usually burning up the last week or so before the tournament. Our goal is for our players to have a lot of fun, have a chance to win a great prize and leave with their bellies full,” said Furr. </p><p>The Daniel Furr Memorial Golf Tournament is a great opportunity to play one of the better courses in the area, have a great time and make a positive difference in the youth of Transylvania County. Visit danielfurrmemorialgolf.com for more information and register online to play “the game that Daniel loved.”</p><p>Fairways and greens my friend.</p>